EP0780215A2 - Form mit ringförmigem Anschnitt zum Spritzgiessen von Kontakt-Linsen - Google Patents

Form mit ringförmigem Anschnitt zum Spritzgiessen von Kontakt-Linsen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0780215A2
EP0780215A2 EP96309385A EP96309385A EP0780215A2 EP 0780215 A2 EP0780215 A2 EP 0780215A2 EP 96309385 A EP96309385 A EP 96309385A EP 96309385 A EP96309385 A EP 96309385A EP 0780215 A2 EP0780215 A2 EP 0780215A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mold cavity
mold
collar
curve insert
gate collar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96309385A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0780215B1 (de
EP0780215A3 (de
Inventor
Joseph E. Janca
Carl G. Crowe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Johnson and Johnson Vision Care Inc
Original Assignee
Johnson and Johnson Vision Products Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Johnson and Johnson Vision Products Inc filed Critical Johnson and Johnson Vision Products Inc
Publication of EP0780215A2 publication Critical patent/EP0780215A2/de
Publication of EP0780215A3 publication Critical patent/EP0780215A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0780215B1 publication Critical patent/EP0780215B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C45/38—Cutting-off equipment for sprues or ingates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29D—PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE
    • B29D11/00—Producing optical elements, e.g. lenses or prisms
    • B29D11/00009—Production of simple or compound lenses
    • B29D11/00038—Production of contact lenses
    • B29D11/00125—Auxiliary operations, e.g. removing oxygen from the mould, conveying moulds from a storage to the production line in an inert atmosphere

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for the direct injection molding of optical contact lenses, and in particular for reaction injection molding (RIM) contact lenses. More particularly, it relates to such a method and apparatus involving a closed molding system, where after dosing the polymer into the closed mold an annular collar is actuated to define the side wall of the mold and completely separate the waste polymer from the contact lens forming polymer material during polymer cure.
  • RIM reaction injection molding
  • Reaction injection molding is a polymer process operation where reactive liquid components are mixed by impingement, injected into a mold and polymerized therein to form a plastic article. No external curing by ultraviolet light, heat or the like is required, the cure resulting from the chemical reaction of the liquid components.
  • Reaction injection molding may be accomplished in an open or closed mold. Open molding means that the mold cavity is open while the liquid polymer is dosed into one half of the mold, with the other half of the mold then positioned and closed under pressure to establish the complete mold cavity and define the optical lens. Closed molding means that the mold cavity components are mated prior to dosing of the liquid polymer, the mold cavity including a gate or port for injection of the reactive liquid components under pressure into the cavity and an outlet for run-off of excess polymer.
  • the invention comprises in general a method and apparatus for the fabrication of polymer contact lenses in a closed mold system.
  • the invention has particular application to such manufacture using the reaction injection molding process where the liquid polymer components react upon mixing and require no outside agency to initiate or control curing.
  • the apparatus comprises in general a closed mold formed of multiple joined components which define a mold cavity of the shape, size and configuration desired for production of the contact lens - a curved body with a circular perimeter or side wall.
  • the mold block comprises an inlet runner to supply liquid polymer components into the mold cavity through an inlet port or sprue positioned on the side of the mold cavity.
  • An outlet port and runner positioned on the opposite side of the mold cavity allow flow out of the mold of excess liquid polymer components.
  • a moveable annular gate collar surrounds the mold cavity, the collar being positionable from a recessed position during cavity fill to a closed position where the interior wall of the collar forms the circular side wall of the mold cavity during the curing process.
  • the contact lens To manufacture the contact lens, sufficient liquid polymer is injected into the closed mold cavity through the inlet runner and inlet port to entirely fill the mold cavity, with any excess polymer flowing out through the outlet port and outlet runner.
  • the annular gate collar is in the recessed or retracted position during the fill step so that polymer flow is not impeded.
  • the annular gate collar When the mold is filled and prior to cure, the annular gate collar is actuated and moved into position surrounding the mold cavity to form the uninterrupted side wall component of the mold cavity.
  • the annular collar severs or separates the liquid polymer such that the curing contact lens is not connected to any excess or waste polymer in the inlet port or outlet port which would require subsequent processing to remove such waste from the lens.
  • Figure 1 is cross-sectional view of the invention shown with the annular gate in the recessed position prior to the filling of the mold cavity.
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the full invention which shows the annular gate in the actuated extended position forming the side wall of the mold cavity after severing the liquid polymer and during the cure of the polymer.
  • the invention is a method and apparatus for injection molding fabrication of optical contact lenses in a closed mold system, and is particularly suitable for use in a reaction injection molding system where multiple liquid polymer components are mixed and injected into the mold cavity, the polymer curing from the chemical reaction of the combined components without need for outside curing from ultraviolet light, heat, etc.
  • a reaction injection molding system where multiple liquid polymer components are mixed and injected into the mold cavity, the polymer curing from the chemical reaction of the combined components without need for outside curing from ultraviolet light, heat, etc.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises in general a mold block 10 comprised of an upper mold plate 11 and a lower mold plate 12 which are adapted to mate together to form the mold block 10 and which are typically held together hydraulically during the molding process.
  • Upper mold plate 11 is provided with an upper mold bore 13
  • lower mold plate 12 is provided with a lower mold bore 14, each positioned so as to align on the same central axis when the upper mold plate 11 and lower mold plate 12 are joined.
  • An inlet runner 21 is provided in one or both of upper mold plate 11 and lower mold plate 12, the inlet runner 21 connecting to an inlet port or sprue 22 abutting one or both of the upper mold bore 13 and lower mold bore 14.
  • An outlet runner 23 and outlet port 24 are likewise positioned in either one or both upper mold plate 11 and lower mold plate 12.
  • the inlet runner 21, inlet port 22, outlet port 24 and outlet runner 23 are shown as positioned in the lower mold plate 12 and abutting the lower mold bore 14.
  • the inlet runner 21 is connected to polymer injection apparatus of type well known in the an, which is not shown in the drawings, for injection of the liquid polymer components 99 into the mold in known manner.
  • the lower and upper mold bores 14 and 13 are adapted to receive and properly position the component parts which define the mold cavity 15 in which the contact lens is formed.
  • the mold cavity 15 is created by providing a back curve insert 51 and a front curve insert 52, the back curve insert 51 having a convex face 53 to define the back wall of the contact lens and the front curve insert 52 having a concave face 54 to define the front wall of the contact lens.
  • the curve inserts 51 and 52 are properly positioned within each mold plate 11 and 12 and relative to each other to provide the correct thickness for the mold cavity 15 by the use of various shims 55 and bushings 56 in the currently known manner.
  • the curve inserts 51 and 52 are fixed in the mold plates 11 and 12 by attaching upper retainer plate 16 to upper mold plate 11 and lower retainer plate 17 to lower mold plate 12.
  • the curve inserts 51 and 52 may be provided with thermocouple ports 57 to insure correct processing parameters, as is also well known in the art.
  • annular gate collar 31 Surrounding one of the curve inserts 51 or 52, and preferably surrounding the front insert curve 52 as shown in the drawings, is annular gate collar 31.
  • the annular gate 31 is coaxially aligned with the front curve insert 52 and is adapted for movement in the axial direction within upper mold bore 13 relative to the fixed upper mold plate 11 and front curve insert 52.
  • the tolerance between the outer wall of the front curve insert 52 and the inner wall 38 of the gated collar 31 should be kept to a minimum, and preferably less than 0.001 inches.
  • Annular gate 31 has a flange 32 at its upper end which seats in a flange recess 18 in the upper mold plate 12.
  • one or more spring members 33 Positioned between the bottom of the flange 18 and the top of the flange recess 18 are one or more spring members 33.
  • actuating means 60 which can comprise any means to rapidly reciprocate gate collar 31 in the axial direction.
  • actuating means 60 may comprise one or more pneumatic pistons 61, shown representationally, connected to the gate collar 31 by piston pins 62.
  • the lower end of the gate collar 31 is formed as an annular blade 35 having a bevelled outer wall 36, preferably at an angle of approximately 30 degrees, terminating in a non-radiused tip 37 preferably with a thickness of less than .005 inches.
  • the tip 37 of gate collar 31 must be able to travel a distance in excess of the thickness of the mold cavity 15, i.e., the separation distance between the convex face 53 and concave face 54.
  • the gate collar 31 is adjusted by proper sizing of the apertured shim 34 to allow for travel in the axial direction of approximately 0.15 to 0.20 millimeters.
  • the tip 37 of the blade portion 35 does not impede flow of the liquid polymer components 99 into the mold cavity 15.
  • the actuating means 60 to reposition the gate collar 31 is activated, pushing the collar 31 downward into the extended position such that the blade tip 37 passes through the liquid polymer 99 and passes the edge of the convex face 53 of the back curve insert 51, as shown in Figure 2.
  • the inner wall 38 of the gate collar 31 now forms the circular side wall of the mold cavity 15 as the polymer components 99 react and cure, the mold cavity 15 for the contact lens now consisting of the convex face 53 of the back curve insert 51, the concave face 54 of the front curve insert 52, and the annular inner wall 38 of the gate collar 31.
  • Excess polymer 99 is compressed by the bevelled wall 36 into the annular supply recess 19 or forced back into the inlet runner 21 or the outlet runner 23.
  • the bevelled wall 36 of the blade 35 also helps to maintain proper axial alignment of the gate collar 31 as it moves through the liquid polymer 99.
  • the liquid polymer 99 curing in the mold cavity 15 is not in contact with and is completely separated from the waste liquid polymer 99 at the inlet port 22 or the outlet port 24, and therefore the side wall of the cured contact lens will not require subsequent processing to remove any excess material.
  • the mold block 10 is separated and the finished product removed, along with the separate polymer waste now cured in the runners 21 and 23.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Casting Or Compression Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Eyeglasses (AREA)
EP96309385A 1995-12-21 1996-12-20 Form mit ringförmigem Anschnitt zum Spritzgiessen von Kontakt-Linsen Expired - Lifetime EP0780215B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US576743 1995-12-21
US08/576,743 US5928682A (en) 1995-12-21 1995-12-21 Annular gated mold for the injection molding of contact lenses

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0780215A2 true EP0780215A2 (de) 1997-06-25
EP0780215A3 EP0780215A3 (de) 1997-10-15
EP0780215B1 EP0780215B1 (de) 2001-05-30

Family

ID=24305807

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96309385A Expired - Lifetime EP0780215B1 (de) 1995-12-21 1996-12-20 Form mit ringförmigem Anschnitt zum Spritzgiessen von Kontakt-Linsen

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US5928682A (de)
EP (1) EP0780215B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH09174609A (de)
AT (1) ATE201628T1 (de)
AU (1) AU716637B2 (de)
CA (1) CA2193450C (de)
DE (1) DE69613088T2 (de)
MX (1) MX9700097A (de)
SG (1) SG89243A1 (de)
TW (1) TW400448B (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103831955A (zh) * 2012-11-22 2014-06-04 谢美兰 水口剪切设备
CN111907008A (zh) * 2020-08-04 2020-11-10 程致远 一种塑胶模具

Families Citing this family (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4544710B2 (ja) * 1999-08-27 2010-09-15 株式会社メニコン 眼用レンズ物品の成形型及び眼用レンズ物品の製造方法
ATE317758T1 (de) * 2001-01-24 2006-03-15 Novartis Pharma Gmbh Verfahren zur herstellung von linsen
US20030078658A1 (en) 2001-01-25 2003-04-24 Gholam-Reza Zadno-Azizi Single-piece accomodating intraocular lens system
US6708397B2 (en) * 2001-08-09 2004-03-23 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Inlay station with alignment assemblies and transfer tubes
US6939500B2 (en) * 2001-08-30 2005-09-06 Bernard Mould Method and apparatus for eliminating a parting line witness mark from a molded part
US7615180B2 (en) * 2005-07-08 2009-11-10 Gentex Optics, Inc. Method for injection molding with direct insert thermal control
EP2206594B1 (de) * 2007-10-05 2017-01-11 NGK Insulators, Ltd. Formwerkzeug und formungsverfahren
CN101544034A (zh) * 2008-03-28 2009-09-30 鸿富锦精密工业（深圳）有限公司 模具定位结构
DK2501716T3 (en) 2009-11-19 2015-04-07 Solis Biodyne Oü Formations to increase polypeptidstabilitet and activity and related practices
SG181663A1 (en) * 2009-12-17 2012-07-30 Novartis Ag Method of dosing a lens forming material into a mold
US9937640B2 (en) 2014-12-19 2018-04-10 Coopervision International Holding Company, Lp Apparatus and method for closure of ophthalmic lens molds
US9764501B2 (en) 2014-12-19 2017-09-19 Coopervision International Holding Company, Lp Contact lens mold parts, contact lens mold assemblies, and methods of making contact lenses
US9938034B2 (en) 2014-12-19 2018-04-10 Coopervision International Holding Company, Lp Method and apparatus relating to manufacture of molds for forming contact lenses
US10029402B2 (en) 2014-12-19 2018-07-24 Coopervision International Holding Company, Lp Method and apparatus for manufacturing contact lenses
US10137612B2 (en) 2014-12-19 2018-11-27 Coopervision International Holding Company, Lp Methods and apparatus for manufacture of ophthalmic lenses
US10786959B2 (en) * 2016-07-18 2020-09-29 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc Mold for contact lens with non-rotationally symmetric rim or edge
CN115816765B (zh) * 2022-11-01 2023-06-13 南京肯特复合材料股份有限公司 一种无气纹的pfa包覆蝶板的成型方法

Family Cites Families (10)

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US2304217A (en) * 1938-01-20 1942-12-08 American Optical Corp Method and apparatus for making lenses
US4407766A (en) * 1981-05-26 1983-10-04 National Patent Development Corporation Molds and procedure for producing truncated contact lenses
FR2530181A1 (fr) * 1982-07-16 1984-01-20 Essilor Int Procede et dispositif pour le moulage d'un element optique en matiere synthetique
US4622089A (en) * 1983-02-28 1986-11-11 Johnson & Johnson Products, Inc. Method of making blister pad adhesive bandage
JPS60132719A (ja) * 1983-12-22 1985-07-15 Alps Electric Co Ltd プラスチツクレンズの製造方法
US4836960A (en) * 1987-10-05 1989-06-06 Sola Usa, Inc. Fabrication of thermoplastic optical components by injection/compression molding
US5182065A (en) * 1990-04-30 1993-01-26 Ontario Die Company Limited Method for producing structural injection molded parts using lost motion movement between a mold and surrounding cutting blade
IT1252217B (it) * 1991-12-16 1995-06-05 Devi Spa Procedimento e macchina per lo stampaggio di materiale plastico accoppiato.
US5405557A (en) * 1993-04-21 1995-04-11 Sola Group Ltd. Method of making a moulded photochromic lens
JPH07299845A (ja) * 1994-04-28 1995-11-14 Olympus Optical Co Ltd ゲートカット装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
None

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103831955A (zh) * 2012-11-22 2014-06-04 谢美兰 水口剪切设备
CN111907008A (zh) * 2020-08-04 2020-11-10 程致远 一种塑胶模具
CN111907008B (zh) * 2020-08-04 2022-03-04 勇气模具塑胶(苏州)有限公司 一种塑胶模具

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69613088T2 (de) 2001-10-18
AU716637B2 (en) 2000-03-02
DE69613088D1 (de) 2001-07-05
US5928682A (en) 1999-07-27
CA2193450A1 (en) 1997-06-22
ATE201628T1 (de) 2001-06-15
CA2193450C (en) 2005-05-24
TW400448B (en) 2000-08-01
SG89243A1 (en) 2002-06-18
JPH09174609A (ja) 1997-07-08
MX9700097A (es) 1997-06-28
EP0780215B1 (de) 2001-05-30
EP0780215A3 (de) 1997-10-15
AU7545196A (en) 1997-06-26

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